1 Timothy 3:1 Here is a statement you can trust: anyone aspiring to be a congregation leader is seeking worthwhile work. 2 A congregation leader must be above reproach, he must be faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, orderly, hospitable and able to teach. 3 He must not drink excessively or get into fights; rather, he must be kind and gentle. He must not be a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, having children who obey him with all proper respect; 5 for if a man can’t manage his own household, how will he be able to care for God’s Messianic Community? 6 He must not be a new believer, because he might become puffed up with pride and thus fall under the same judgment as did the Adversary. 7 Furthermore, he must be well regarded by outsiders, so that he won’t fall into disgrace and into the Adversary’s trap.
8 Likewise, the shammashim must be of good character, people whose word can be trusted. They must not give themselves to excessive drinking or be greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must possess the formerly hidden truth of the faith with a clean conscience. 10 And first, let them be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them be appointed shammashim.
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The choice is ours.
When pursuing God’s will, storms will threaten. Two anchors are needed in every Christ follower’s life. We need to know the deep truths of the faith. We must be so convinced the truth of God’s Word that we allow it to shape our perceptions about difficult times and difficult people. To know the deep truths of faith we must develop the discipline of being in the Word, meditating on it, hiding it in our heart. When we know the Word, it can be the anchor we need.
But it’s not enough to know the Word. The second anchor is holding on to those deep truths. Knowing is good, but it’s not good enough. We need to put the Word into practice. Our responsibility is to hold to those truths – especially in challenging times. The Word teaches, "Forgive the one who has offended you." To hold to that truth means we forgive when we’ve been hurt by another. The Word says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29a). We hold to that truth and don’t trade insult for insult.
two anchors that are difference-makers--know and hold to the deep truths of faith.
The choice is ours.
When pursuing God’s will, storms will threaten. Two anchors are needed in every Christ follower’s life. We need to know the deep truths of the faith. We must be so convinced the truth of God’s Word that we allow it to shape our perceptions about difficult times and difficult people. To know the deep truths of faith we must develop the discipline of being in the Word, meditating on it, hiding it in our heart. When we know the Word, it can be the anchor we need.
But it’s not enough to know the Word. The second anchor is holding on to those deep truths. Knowing is good, but it’s not good enough. We need to put the Word into practice. Our responsibility is to hold to those truths – especially in challenging times. The Word teaches, "Forgive the one who has offended you." To hold to that truth means we forgive when we’ve been hurt by another. The Word says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29a). We hold to that truth and don’t trade insult for insult.
two anchors that are difference-makers--know and hold to the deep truths of faith.
Hymn for Today:
"My Anchor Holds" by W.C. Martin
1. Tho’ the angry surges roll
On my tempest-driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know,
Wildly though the winds may blow,
I’ve an anchor safe and sure,
That can evermore endure.
Refrain:
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
2. Mighty tides about me sweep,
Perils lurk within the deep,
Angry clouds o’ershade the sky,
And the tempest rises high;
Still I stand the tempest’s shock,
For my anchor grips the rock.
Refrain:
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
3. I can feel the anchor fast
As I meet each sudden blast,
And the cable, though unseen,
Bears the heavy strain between;
Thro’ the storm I safely ride,
Till the turning of the tide.
Refrain:
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
4. Troubles almost ’whelm the soul;
Griefs like billows o’er me roll;
Tempters seek to lure astray;
Storms obscure the light of day:
But in Christ I can be bold,
I’ve an anchor that shall hold.
Refrain:
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
Thought for Today:
We have this hope as a sure and safe anchor for ourselves, a hope that goes right on through to what is inside the parokhet,[Hebrews 6:19].
Please pray:
For the development of Christian leaders in Sao Tomo and Prinicpe.
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